Picture frame



April 30, 1957 K. C. HAVENS PICTURE FRAME Filed Aug. 4, 1954 FIE-Z ,0

IWII -38 l2 20 INVENTOR.

A rm RIVEYJ United States Patent@ PICTURE FRAME Keith C. Havens, Mound,Minn.

Application August 4, 1954, Serial No. 447,831

10 Claims. (Cl. 40-155) The invention herein has relationto. adistensible frame for pictures constituted as newand. improved sidev andend frame units each of which. is. longitudinally adjustable.

In the' accompanying drawing. forming a part of this specification,

Fig. 1' is a front elevational view of a picture frame made according.to the invention, adetachabl'e frame member of a frame unit at a side ofthe picture frame being omitted;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view, partially insection and partially broken away, of the picture frame as it wouldappear from behind theright side of the disclosure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, taken on line 3-3 inFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, taken on line 4'-4 inFig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, taken on line 5-5 inFig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is an elevational view detailing parts of the picture frame asthey would appear from the position of line 66 in Fig. 3.

As shown, each of side and end frame units of the picture frame includesa pair of alined frame members, each denoted 1t), and frame members 10at each of the corners of the picture frame are rigidly joined to eachother, as at 11. ll of the frame members 10 are in a single plane, andall of the frameunits, each including alined frame members, are ofsimilar construction.

Each of the duplicate frame units includes, in addition. to alined framemembers 10, spaced apart, parallel, first and second elongated grippingbars, represented 12 and 13', respectively, each having its opposite.end portions situated in elongated channels 14 within and extendinglongitudinally of rearward surfaces of alined frame members,respectively. Stated differently, an intermediate portion of eachgripping bar 12, 13 is situated between free ends of alined framemembers of each frame unit, and the opposite end portions of thecorresponding, gripping bars 12, 13 are within the elongated channels.14, 14 of different frame members, respectively. The elongated. channelsof each frame unit are of equal width.

Each elongated channel 14 is of configuration asv clearly disclosed inFigs. 3 to 5. The base of. each elongated channel is bounded or definedby a flat surface 15 disposed forwardly of and parallel to the rearwardsurface. of the corresponding frame member 1.0. At its inner and outersides each elongated channel is bounded or defined by flat sidesurfaces, indicated 16 and 17, respectively, which extend longitudinallyof the corresponding frame unit. Each inner flat side surface 16 slantsrearwardly and outwardly from the inner side edgeand. each outer flatside surface 17 slants rearwardly and inwardly from the outer side edgeof the flat surface 15 to the rearward. surface of the correspondingframe member 10. The. fiat side surfaces 16, 17 bounding or definingvthe opposite sides of each elongated channel are in parallel planes andat equal angular relation to the flat surfaces 15;

The first elongated gripping bar 12 of each frame unit is bounded ordefined at its forward side by a flat surface 18 engageable with andslidable over flat surfaces 15, 15 bounding or defining the bases ofelongated channels 14, 14 in the corresponding frame members 10, 10, andat its inner side by a flat side surface 19 which slants rearwardly andoutwardly from the'inner side edge of the flat surface 18 and isengageable with and slidable over inner fiat side surfaces 16, 16bounding or defining'the inner sides of elongated channels in thecorresponding frame members. As disclosed, the first elongated grippingbar 12 of each frame unit is bounded or defined at its outer side by afiat side surface 20 in perpendicular relation to the frame members ofthe frame unit. The flat side surfaces 19 and 20 are in parallel planes.

The second elongated gripping bar 13 of each frame unit is bounded ordefined at its forward side by a fiat surface 21 engageable with andslidable over fiat surfaces 15, 15 bounding or defining the bases ofelongated channels 14, 14 in the corresponding frame members 10, 1t andat its outer side by a flat side surface 22 which slants rearwardly andinwardly from the outer side edge of the fiat surface 21 and isengageable with and slidable over outer flat side surfaces 17, 17bounding or defining the outer sides of elongated channels in thecorresponding frame members. The second; elongated gripping bar 13' ofeach frame unit is bounded, or defined at its. inner side by a flat sidesurface 23 in perpendicular relation to the frame members of the frameunit. The flat side surfaces 22 and 23 are in parallel planes.

The overall width of the first and second elongated gripping bars 12and. 13 of each. frame unit is less thanv a measurement representing thedistance between fiat side surfaces 16 and 17 bounding or defining theopposite sides of each elongated channel 14.

The first and second elongated gripping bars 12 and, 13' of each frameunit are held in spaced relation to each other, and the inner and outerside surfaces 19. and. 22' of said first and second elongated grippingbars are held in resilient engagement with the flat. side surfaces; 16and 17, respectively, bounding or defining; the opposite. sides of theelongated channels inthe frar-nev members of the corresponding frameunit, through the instrunientali-ty of compression coil springs, eachdesignated 24, uni,- formly spaced along intermediate portions, ofthe;lengths of the first and second elongated. gripping bars. As will beapparent from Fig. 4 of the drawing, the. compression coil springs 24,in perpendicular relation to the gripping bars, have inner end portionsthereof seated in depressi ns.

25' in the outersi'd'e surfaces 2.0 of the first gripping bar 12 andouter'end portions, thereof seated in. depressions 26 in the inner sidesurface. 23 of the. secondv gripping; bar 13. 7

There is a first device 27 in each end portion-of the; second elongatedgripping bar 13. of each frame unit; forreleasably clamping the firstand second elongated gripping ars b weenthe opposite sidesurfaces 16 l-17 bounding or defining the opposite sides, respectively, of theelongated channels 14., 14. in the frame members It), 16 of thecorresponding frame unit. Each of the first devicesl'l is constituted,as-a stub shaft 28 mounted in the correspendingsecond elongated grippingbar 13 in perpendicular relation thereto, a canim-ing element 29 fixedupon av forward end of said Stub shaft, and; dis;- posed in a pocket 33.in the forward surface 21 of; said corresponding second elongatedgripping-bar, and a ma? nipulating finger piece'lii f xed upon arearward; end of;

the stub. shaft. Each pocketgfil) is, open at its; inner side;

and thereonstruction and arrangement.- are such that; each;

finger piece 31 can be turned in one direction to cause thecorresponding camming element 29 to engage the outer side surface 20 ofthe corresponding first elongated gripping bar 12 and force the firstandsecond gripping bars apart, or in opposite direction toexert nospreading apart force upon said first and second elongated grippingbars. In. Fig. 3 and in full lines in Fig. 6 a first device 2'7 isdisclosed as when situated to cause the first and second gripping barsof a frame unit to be clamped between oppositely disposed surfaces 16and 17 of a frame member of said frame unit. In dotted lines in saidFig. 6 the first device is disclosed as when the cumming element 29thereof is exerting no force upon the first and second elongatedgripping bars tending to spread them apart. The compression coil springs24 alone exert spreading apart influence upon the first and secondelongated gripping bars when first devices 27 are situated as in dottedlines in Fig. 6.

There is a second device 32 in each end portion of the first and secondelongated gripping 'bars 12 and 13 of each frame unit for permittingsaid first and second elongated gripping bars to be moved toward andaway from each other and at the same time precluding their separation.Each of the second devices 32 is constituted as a screw bolt having anintermediate portion 33 thereof slidably disposed in an opening 34 inthe corresponding first elongated gripping bar 12 in parallel relationto the forward surface 18 thereof, an outer end portion 35 thereof fixedin the corresponding second elongated gripping bar 13 and extendinginwardly from its inner side surface, and a head 36 thereof freelydisposed in a concavity 37 in the inner side surface 19 of saidcorresponding first elongated gripping bar. The construction andarrangement will be such that the second devices 32 will permit movementof the first and second elongated gripping bars 12 and 13 apart toextent necessary in order that they can be clamped in the frame membersbut will prevent separation of said first and second elongated grippingbars.

The manner in which the picture frame can be made larger and smallerwill be evident. The frame members 10, of different frame units will bemoved or pulled apart longitudinally, thus to he slid relative to thecorresponding first and second elongated gripping bars, when it isdesired that the picture frame be made larger. And said frame memberswill be shoved toward each other when said picture frame is to be madesmaller. At the left in Fig. 1 of the drawing is shown a detachableframe member 38 which in cross-section transversely of the frame unit isof the same configuration and size as are all of the frame members 10.At the right in Fig. l, and in Fig. 2, there is a space for receiving adetachable frame such as 38. Detachable frame members such as 38 ofdifferent dimensions in direction longitudinally of the frame units willbe employed, and spaces between adjacent alined frame members 10, 10created by moving or pulling said frame members apart will be filled bydetachable frame members, such as 38, of appropriate length. Detachableframe members can be applied by compressing the first and secondelongated gripping bars 12 and 13- toward each other, against the forceof the compression coil springs 24, while the first devices 27 areinoperative. Relative adjustments of adjacent frame members also will bemade while said first devices are inoperative. After adjustments aremade said devices will be actuated to clamp said first and secondelongated gripping bars to and against the frame members, in the manneras hereinbefore set forth.

lhere is a third device 39 upon each end portion of the second elongatedgripping bar 13 of each frame unit. The third devices are for fasteningthe gripping bars in fixed relation to the corresponding frame membersafter a picture frame has been adjusted to desired size. Each of thethird devices 39 is constituted as an outwardly extending piece rigidwith the corresponding sec- 4 I ond elongated gripping bar and securedto a frame member, as by a nail 4b. The first and third devices, together, are insurance that the frame members will remain fixed in therelation to which adjusted and set.

What is claimed is:

1. In a picture frame, a frame unit comprising longitudinally alinedframe members each having an elongated channel therein bounded byinternal, opposed, longitudinally extending surfaces, first and secondelongated gripping bars having opposite end portions thereof situated inthe elongated channels of said frame members, respectively, for slidablemovement relative to said internal, opposed, longitudinally extendingsurfaces of each of said frame members, and mechanism for spreading saidfirst and second elongated gripping bars apart and into clampingrelation to internal, opposed, longitudinally extending surfaces of eachof said frame members.

2. In a picture frame, a frame unit comprising longitudinally alinedframe members each having an elongated channel therein bounded byinternal, opposed, longitudinally extending surfaces, first and secondelongated gripping bars having opposite end portions thereof situated inthe elongated channels of said frame members, respectively, resilientmeans urging said first and second elongated gripping bars into engagedrelation with internal, opposed, longitudinally extending surfaces ofeach of said frame members for slidable movement relative thereto, andmechanism for spreading said first and second elongated gripping barsapart and into clamping relation to internal, opposed, longitudinallyextending surfaces of each of said frame members.

3. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein each of saidmechanisms is constituted as a stub shaft mounted in one of saidelongated gripping bars, a camrnin-g element fixed upon a forward endportion of said stub shaft and engageable with the other of saidelongated gripping bars, and a manipulator for the stub shaft fixed upona rearward end portion thereof.

4. The combination 'as specified in claim 1, first means connecting saidfirst and second elongated gripping bars for movement toward and awayfrom each other, and second means forprecluding separation of the firstand second elongated gripping bars.

5. The combination as specified in claim 1, and a replaceable framemember for detachable assembly with said first and second elongatedgripping bars at a location between said frame members.

6. In a picture frame, a frame unit comprising alined frame members eachhaving an elongated channel therein bounded by internal, longitudinallyextending surfaces, first and second elongated gripping bars havingopposite end portions thereof situated in the elongated channels of saidframe members, respectively, to be slidable relative to said internalsurfaces, and means for securing said first and second elongatedgripping bars in fixed relation to said frame members, respectively,said means being constituted as a stub shaft mounted in one of saidelongated gripping bars, a camming element fixed upon a forward portionof said stub shaft and engageable with the other of said elongatedgripping bars, and a manipulating piece for the stub shaft fixed upon arearward end portion thereof.

7. In a picture frame, a frame unit comprising longitudinally alinedframe members each having an elongated channel therein bounded byinternal, opposed, longitudinally extending surfaces, first and secondelongated gripping bars having opposite end portions thereof situated inthe elongated channels of said frame members, respectively, resilientmeans urging said first and second elongated gripping bars into engagedrelation with internal, opposed, longitudinally extending surfaces ofeach of said frame members for sliding movement relative thereto, andmeans for securing said first and second elongated gripping bars infixed relation to each of said frame members, said means beingconstituted as a stub shaft mounted in one of said elongated grippingbars, a camming element fixed upon a forward portion of said stub shaftand engageable with the other of said elongated gripping bars, and amanipulating piece for the stub shaft fixed .upon a rearward end portionof said stub shaft.

8. In a picture frame, a frame unit comprising lalined frame memberseach having an elongated channel therein bounded by internal,longitudinally extending surfaces, first and second elongated grippingbars having opposite end portions thereof situated in the elongatedchannels of said frame members, respectively, to be slidable relative tosaid internal surfaces, means for securing said first and secondelongated gripping bars in fixed relation to said frame members,respectively, and means connecting said first and second elongatedgripping bars for movement toward and away from each other.

9. In a picture frame, a frame unit comprising ion-gitudinally alinedframe members each having an elongated channel therein bounded byinternal, opposed, longitudinally extending surfaces, first and secondelongated grip ping bars having opposite end portions thereof situatedin the elongated channels of said frame members, respec tively,resilient means urging said first and second elongated gripping b arsinto engaged relation with internal, opposed, longitudinally extendingsurfaces of each of said frame members for sliding movement relativethereto,

means for securing said first and second elongated gripping bars infixed relation to each of said frame members, and means connecting saidfirst and second elongated gripping bars for movement toward and awayfrom each other.

10. In a picture frame, a frame unit comprising alined frame memberseach having an elongated channel therein bounded by internal,longitudinally extending surfaces, first and second elongated grippingbars having opposite end portions thereof situated in the elongatedchannels of said frame members, respectively, to be slidable relative tosaid internal surface, means for securing said first and secondelongated gripping bars in fixed relation to said frame members,respectively, and a replaceable frame member for detachably assemblywith said first and second elongated gripping bars at a location betweensaid frame members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,421,301 Petrow June 27, 1922 2,601,734 Couzinet July 1, 1952 FOREIGNPATENTS 380,070 Great Britain Sept. 5, 1932

